Anti-RXFP2 monoclonal antibody Made to order

Recent studies have identified four receptors that are the physiological targets for relaxin family peptides. All are class I (rhodopsin like) G-protein-coupled receptors with LGR7 (RXFP1) and LGR8 (RXFP2) being type C leucine-rich repeat-containing receptors, whereas GPCR135 (RXFP3) and GPCR142 (RXFP4) resemble receptors that respond to small peptides; such as somatostatin and angiotensin II. The cognate ligands for the receptors have been identified: relaxin for RXFP1; INSL3 for RXFP2; relaxin 3 for RXFP3 and INSL5 for RXFP4. RXFP1 and RXFP2 receptors produce increases in intracellular cAMP levels upon stimulation, although the response is complex and contains a component sensitive to PI-3-kinase inhibitors. There is also evidence that RXFP1 can activate Erk1/2 and nitric oxide synthase, and relaxin has been reported to enter cells and activate glucocorticoid receptors. In contrast, RXFP3 and RXFP4 couple to Gi by a pertussis toxin-sensitive mechanism to cause inhibition of cAMP production. Now that the receptors for relaxin family peptides and their cognate ligands have been identified, we suggest a nomenclature for both the peptides and the receptors that we hope will be helpful to researchers in this rapidly advancing field.

The changes in knee laxity and relaxin receptor expression at different phases of rodent estrous cycle are not known. Here, changes in the parameter were investigated in rats at different phases of the estrous cycle. Estrous cycle phases of intact female rats were determined by cytological examination of the vaginal smear. Following phase identification, blood was collected for serum hormone analyses. Knee passive range of motion (ROM) was determined by using a digital miniature goniometer. The animals were then sacrificed and patellar tendon, collateral ligaments and hamstring muscles were harvested for relaxin/insulin-like family peptide receptor 1 and 2 (RXFP1/RXFP2) analyses. Knee passive ROM was the highest at proestrus followed by diestrus and the lowest at estrus. Estrogen level was the highest at proestrus while progesterone and relaxin levels were the highest at diestrus. A strong correlation was observed between relaxin and progesterone levels. At proestrus, expression of RXFP1 and RXFP2 proteins and mRNAs were the highest at proestrus followed by diestrus and estrus. The finding shows that higher level of progesterone and relaxin in diestrus might be responsible for higher laxity of knee joint in rats.